These are some of the major headlines and their summaries in the Turkish press on April 22, 2009. Hurriyet Daily News Online does not verify these stories and does not vouch for their accuracy.

The Fenerbahce football team established itself as the first finalist in the Fortis Turkey Cup by eliminating Turkcell Super League leader Sivasspor 0-0. Fenerbahce's rival will be revealed after the Besiktas-Ankaraspor match at 8 tonight. Besiktas won the first match 3-1.

-- TURKEY TO BE EUROPE'S SOFTWARECENTER

Microsoft's CEO Steve Ballmer said Turkey is among the top 10 fastest-growing countries for Microsoft. Ballmer, who came to Turkey to promote the Microsoft Innovation Center to be constructed in Ankara, said opportunities would be presented in the center to young and talented people who had serious projects in gaming software. He added that Turkey could become the software center of Europe.

MILLIYET

-- ERGENEKON EXCAVATION IN ISTANBUL

In an excavation carried out in a wasteland in Beykoz district in Istanbul within the scope of Ergenekon probe, 11 flame throwers, 1 kilogram of C-4 explosive, 11 hand grenades and more than 4,000 bullets were found. Executives from Istek Service Corp. of the Istek Foundation – the owner of the land that was near the military training center – said the land, which was a prohibited military zone, had been purchased in 1992 and had not been used since then. It was also stated that Defense Ministry started the expropriation procedure in 2008.

-- RESPECT TO MUTUAL PAST

Villagers of the town of Gevas in the eastern province of Van opposed the construction of a school on former Armenian cemetery. The villagers reacted by saying, "It is disrespectful to construct a school on a cemetery, whatever its religion and sect is."

SABAH

-- DALAN’S STUNNING ARSENAL

Ten flame throwers, 10 hand grenades and 800 G-3 bullets were unearthed in land in Istanbul’s Poyrazkoy district that belonged to the Istek Foundation. Excavations were made in the Istek Foundation land. The foundation is chaired by Bedrettin Dalan, who was wanted in the Ergenekon probe. Police reached the arsenal after a six-hour excavation.

-- 500,000 WORKERS WANTED

The government is preparing to employ 500,000 people for minimum wage for six months. The employment package proposal, which was prepared by Labor Minister Faruk Celik to curb the rise in unemployment rates, will be discussed in the next Council of Ministers meeting. The package will present job opportunities to 500,000 people who have been registered in Turkish Employment Organization (Is-Kur) for six months. The period would be extended for six more months if necessary.

VATAN

-- TWO AZERBAIJANIS INVEST IN TURKEY

Telman Ismailov, head of the AST group, which has more than 31 companies in areas from construction to jewelry, is constructing MardanPalace in Antalya. MardanPalace, which cost $1.4 million, will be opened in June. The Azerbaijani businessman designed his hotel as a miniature Istanbul. Another millionaire businessman Mubariz Mansimov, 41, purchased eight apartments in Trump Towers Istanbul. Mansimov is the owner of Palmali Group, which has 48 companies.

-- ERDOGAN: LET EVERYTHING BECOME CLEAR

Speaking at his Justice and Development Party, or AKP, group meeting, Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan talked about the Ergenekon probe for the first time. "There are very ugly and serious accusations. Let the jurisdiction and law work,” Erdogan said. “Nobody can lead anywhere by threatening prosecutors and judges."

CUMHURIYET

-- WEAPONS FOUND

Many weapons and bombs were unearthed in an excavation that was conducted as part of the Ergenekon probe on land that belonged to the Istek Foundation in Istanbul’s Poyrazkoy district. The foundation said it did not use the land as it was a protected area and a military training zone.

-- FENERBAHCE HEADS TO FINAL

The Fenerbahce football team qualified for the final by drawing 0-0 with Sivasspor in a return match in the Fortis Turkey Cup. Fenerbahce’s rival will be revealed after the Besiktas-Ankaraspor game, which will be played tonight.

RADIKAL

-- ARSENAL IN BEYKOZ

A new arsenal was found within the scope of Ergenekon probe. Ten flame throwers, 10 hand grenades, 20 resonant bombs, 250 grams of C-4 explosive and 10 gelatin dynamite were seized in the excavation carried out in Istanbul’s Poyrazkoy district.

-- ESTIMATION OF TUSIAD

Chairwoman of the Turkish Industrialists' and Businessmen's Association, or TUSIAD, Arzuhan Dogan Yalcindag said the severity of the economy’s contraction will lessen after the second quarter, with the IMF agreement. Yalcindag said TUSIAD estimated a 4.1 percent shrinkage.

-- IT WILL RAIN ON APRIL 23

Turkey will see rainy weather after some warm days. Rain is expected throughout the country on April 23, which is also Children's Day. Temperatures will drop 1-3 degrees Celsius.

YENI SAFAK

-- PIRATES KIDNAP TURKISH CAPTAIN IN NIGERIA

Pirates, who attacked a Turkish ship named Aleyna Mercan, took hostage the captain and engineer, and then escaped. Thirteen personnel on the ship are awaiting help.

-- SABANCI TO EMPLOY 3,500 WORKERS

Sabanci Holding, which opened the 163rd store of CarrefourSA and 225th of TeknoSA in Istanbul’s Pendik district, will employ 3,500 people in the new branches of the two stores.